Pulmatrix, Inc. (NASDAQ:PULM), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative inhaled therapies to address serious pulmonary diseases, today announced it third quarter financial results and business update.
“We are pleased with our continued progress and the awareness we are building around our proprietary iSPERSETM inhaled drug delivery platform,” said Robert Clarke, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Pulmatrix. “We continue to advance the use of this technology and continue to seek to leverage this platform to develop a differentiated product pipeline targeting the treatment of serious pulmonary disorders. Last quarter, in collaboration with Mylan, we announced favorable pharmacokinetic data for PUR0200 in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which supports accelerated development in the EU via the Pharmacokinetic Bioequivalence Regulatory Guidance.”
Business Update
FDA granted Orphan Drug Designation for PUR1900. In August, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted orphan drug designation to Pulmatrix’s wholly-owned drug candidate PUR1900. PUR1900 combines an already approved anti-fungal drug with its proprietary dry powder iSPERSETM delivery platform to effectively deliver to the lungs a drug used to treat pulmonary fungal infections in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF).
Announced the addition of Dr. Matthew Sherman to its Board of Directors. In October, Pulmatrix announced the appointment of Dr. Matthew Sherman to the Board of Directors. Dr. Sherman is a board certified physician in medical oncology and internal medicine and has held various positions at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Sherman brings to Pulmatrix an extensive background and experience in drug development, clinical research, and regulatory affairs.
Pulmatrix presented new data on PUR1900 at the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference. In October, Pulmatrix presented pre-clinical data for PUR1900 and the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference. The poster presentation compared the activity of PUR1900 against the oral reference drug and measured the deposition of the product in the lungs against systemic levels to demonstrate the products potential advantages in treating CF patients with fungal infections.
Financials
Revenues for the third quarter of 2016 were $0.1 million, compared to $0.7 million for the third quarter of 2015. The decrease was the result of the decreased revenue associated with the conclusion of the clinical study funded under our collaboration agreement with Mylan to develop PUR0200 for COPD.
Research and development expenses for the third quarter of 2016 were $1.5 million, compared to $2.2 million for the same period last year. The decrease was primarily due to decreases in clinical development costs and external service costs on the PUR1900 project. General and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2016 were $1.6 million, compared to $3.1 million for the same period in 2015. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in employee stock-based compensation expense and non-recurring merger related expenses that were incurred during the third quarter of 2015.
Net loss for the third quarter of 2016 was $3.2 million compared to a net loss of $4.9 million in the same period last year. The decrease in net loss is attributable to the noted operating expense decreases.
As of September 30, 2016, Pulmatrix had $7.3 million in cash and cash equivalents, compared to $18.9 million as of December 31, 2015.
About COPD
COPD is a long term, progressively destructive and life-threatening disease of the lungs. Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of COPD. Performance of everyday activities may be severely curtailed and overall quality of life significantly impaired. The most common symptoms of COPD are breathlessness, production of abnormal mucus in the airway, and a chronic cough. COPD is not curable, but treatment ameliorates symptoms and may slow the progress of the disease. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 65 million people worldwide had COPD in 2004 and it is predicted to become the third leading cause of death by 2020.
About PUR0200
PUR0200 is an iSPERSE™ formulation incorporating a marketed long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) bronchodilator. We believe it demonstrates the highly efficient delivery that iSPERSE™ can achieve. Because nearly all of the dose reaches the site of action in the lung and is not swallowed or otherwise lost, PUR0200 can achieve the same effect as the marketed product at 20% of the dose administered. PUR0200 is currently being developed in Europe based on PK bioequivalence, and the US development program is being planned.
About Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease that causes thickened mucus to form in the lungs, pancreas and other organs. Within the lungs, this mucus blocks the airways, causing infections and other issues that lead to lung damage, and difficulty to breathe. According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the disease affects an estimated 70,000 people worldwide, predominantly in the United States and Europe (www.cff.org).
About PUR1900
PUR1900 is an iSPERSE™ formulation incorporating a large, complex anti-fungal compound that can be administered at high therapeutic dose to the lung while minimizing systemic side effects. It is estimated that nearly 50% of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) experience pulmonary fungal infections that can cause chronic bronchitis or allergic reactions, resulting in inflammation and poor long term outcomes. PUR1900 is the first inhaled anti-fungal product candidate for CF.
About Pulmatrix
Pulmatrix is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative inhaled therapies to address serious pulmonary disease using its patented iSPERSETM technology. The company’s proprietary product pipeline is focused on advancing treatments for lung diseases, including opportunities in major pulmonary diseases through collaborations, like PUR0200, a bronchodilator in clinical development for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and PUR1900, an inhaled antifungal that could benefit severe asthmatics and patients with rare disease like cystic fibrosis. Pulmatrix’s product candidates are based on iSPERSE™, its proprietary dry powder delivery platform, which seeks to improve therapeutic delivery to the lungs by maximizing local concentrations and reducing systemic side effects to improve patient outcomes.
